Centrifugal fluid vacuum pump



2 Sheets-Sheet l K. G. SOMMER CENTRIFUGAL FLUID VACUUM PUMP Filed Aug. lO,

Feb. 3, 192.5.

Feb. 3, 1925-/ 1,525,332 K. G. SOMMER l CENTRIFUGAL FLUID VACUUM PUMP Filed Aug. 1o, 1922 2 Shee-ts-Shee-t 2 Fxg. /ac

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ad. 1' I l Patented Feb. 3, 192,5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.KARL G. SOMMER, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB. TO AMERICAN STEAM' PUMP COMPANY, OF 'BATTLE' CREEK, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

CENTBIFUGAL FLUID VACUUM PUMP.

Application filed August 10, 1922. Serial No. 580,846.

To all whom t 'may concer/n.:

Be it known that I, KARL G. SOMMER, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, in the county of Calhoun and` air wit-hout pulsation; that is absolutely reliable and whose efliciiency may be maintained for an indefinite period; and which can be driven by a high speed electric motor; to provide a pump simple in construction, and efficient and economical in operation.

In the accompanyingdrawings I have illustrated one form of pump embodying the invention and I will explain the same with reference thereto and summarize in the claims the essentials of the invention and the novel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for all of which protection is desired.

In lsaid drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vert-ical section through the pump in theplane of the mfiin shaft.

Fig. 2 is a. transverse vertical section through such pump on the line 2 2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal horizontal section of the pump in the plane of the main shaft.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of one of the port plates; and

- Fig. 5 is a reduced inner'face view of one of the heads.

As shown in the drawings the pump comprises a casing, valvevp-lates thereon, a rotor or runner, and a shaft; the runner and shaft being the only moving parts.

As shown the casing comprises a body casting 1 provided with supporting leg members 1b and having an interior volute chamber 1Z1 in which the runner of rotor 5 is mounted. In the sides of the said chamber are circular openings eccentric to the chamber, which openings are closed as hereinafter explained. l

The casing is also provided at diametrically opposite sides of the chamber 1L with an inlet passage 12 and an outlet passage 1d which respectively communicate with passa-ges in the heads 2 as hereinafter explained; said passages 1c and 1d are connected with inlet and outlet pipes P2 and P3 as indicated in Fig. 2.

The chamber 1a is volute, that is, it gradually increases in cross section from the Vinlet toward the outlet end thereof, and the shaft is eccentrically located in the said chamer la.

The cylindnic openings in the sides of the body 1 are concentric with the shaft 4, said openings being closed by annular projections 2" on the heads 2.

The heads 2 are preferably of cast meta-l and are provided with inlet and outlet passages as hereinafter explained, and with axial bearings for the shaft 4 which extends horizontally through the casing and carries therotor or runner 5, which is eccentrically mounted in the chamber in the casing as hereinafter explained. The heads 2 are bolted or othe-rwise secured to opposite sides of the base 1 as shown, and the projections 2a help to secure and support the heads o-n the casing, and when the heads 2 are in place the chamber 1 is tight-ly closed except as to-the ports hereinafter referred to. Each head 2 is provided with a central hub portion 2h in which the shaft 4 is journaled, and exterior to the journal bearing 2" in each hub portion is a chamber 2e in which a suitable packing 2g is placed, and confined by a gland 2f in the usual manner.

Each head 2 is provided with an inlet passage 2 and an oppositely extending outlet passage 2d (Figs. 3 and 5); which passages respectively communicate at their outer ends with the passages 1c and 1d in the casing 1. The inner end of the passage 2c is preferably bifurcated and extends partly around the shaft 4, (see Figs. 3 and 5,), and is provrided with a series ofinlet ports 2i in its inner side which communicate with inlet ports 6l in the port plates 6 hereinafter referred to. The inner end of the outlet passage 2d may be also bifurcated, and is provide-d with outlet ports 2 which communicate with outlet ports 6 in the port plates hereinafter referred to.

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The inner face of each head 2 is adjacent the ports 2i and 2 is annularly recessed as shown at 2r to receive a port plate 6 which surrounds the shaft 4 and is interposed between the bottom of the recess 2r and the adjacent end of the hub of the rotor or runner 5, which is mounted upon the shaft 4 within the chamber 1a and bet-ween the heads 2.

The rotor or runner 5 is fixedly secured to the shaft 4 sol that it rotates therewith. Said runner is preferably made of bronze and has hub portions which enter the recess 2r in the heads 2, and has parallel radially disposed disk-like side wal-ls 5 which 11e close to the side walls of the chamber 1, and between walls 5- are disposed a series of curved blades 5b which extendv from the hub of the runner to the periphery of the walls 5 and divide the runner into a series of small radially disposed pockets 5, which are open only at the periphery of the runner. The inner ends of the pockets are preferably divided by an annular rib or circumferential enlargement 5d on the hub of the diskintermediate walls 5; and the bifurcations of each pocket extend toward the opposite ends of the hub of the runner and adjacent the port plates 6, and at the inner end of each bifurcation of each pocket 5 is a port 5 which is adapted to register first with the inlet ports 6i in the adjacent port plate 6 and then with the o-ulet ports 6 in the said port plate. The port plates 6 are fitted between theouter ends of the hub of the runner 5 and the bottoms of the adjacent recesses 2r in the heads 2. Each port plate 6 is provided with a series of inlet ports 6i (see Fig. 4) adap-ted to register with a like series of ports 2i in the head 2, and with a set of outlet ports 6 adapted to register with passage 2b in the head 2. In the example shown there are six inlet ports 6 and two outlet ports 6 in each plate 6. The size and number of inlet and outlet ports could be varied f according to the suction or pressure desired to be obtained in the pump and the size of the pump.

The port plates 6 are preferably rotatorily adjusted in any suitable manner and by any suitable means, to enable the ports 6,1, 6 therein to be brought into more or less complete register with the portsl 2, 2l in the heads 2; so as to regulate the effective area of said ports and thereby increase or decrease the volume of and pressure on the air handled by thepump. kOne simple mode of rotatorial adjustment is to provide the port plates with apertures 6 for the engagement ofthe head of a screw whose body can be engaged with any one of a series of threaded apertures 2s in the related head 2 to fasten the plate when it is' adjusted rot-atorily to the desired position. The port plates 6 serre as packing between the ends of runner 3 andthe heads 2 and to avoid leakage the plates 6 should t-as close as possible to the runner 5 and the heads 2. rPhe port plates 6 are stationary but,- adjustable and they can be removed and suitable packing placed between them and the heads 2 to take up any wear, if such should develop.

In the top of the casing 1 isla small chamber 1t (Fig. 2) which has a port 1g opening into chamber 1 directly above the? runner 5 at the point where the-periphery of the runner most closely approaches the eripheral wall of the chamber 1. T is chamber 1t is adapted for connection with a pipe P1 by which water or fluid under pressure can be supplied? to the chamber 1a to keep the same properly water sealed. Passage 1c is adapted for connection with a pipe P2 (Fig. 2) through which air and water can be drawn into the chamber la through the passages 2c and ports 2*, 6i, 5; and they passa e 1d is adapted for connection with a pipe 3 through which air and water may be forcibly expelled from the chamber 1 through ports 5, 6, 2, and passage 2.

It will be seen from the drawing that the rotor is located eccentrically in the chamber l that this chamber is volute, gradually increasing in cross section clockwise around the rotor from the inlet end (adjacent ports 6*) of the chamber to the outlet end thereof (adjacent ports 6). The vanes of the rotor 5 are preferably curved in the direction in which the ro-tor rotates, as shown.

The only communication between the pasp sages 2 and 2d in the heads 2 is through the ports 2, 61, 5, chamber 1a and other ports 5, 6, 2. The pump is always sealed by having the rotor in the chamber l filled with water under pressure from the pipe P1 which connects with an independent uid supply apart from that to which the pipes 1 or P3 are connected. The rotormay be operated at high speed, up to 1800 r. p. m.

As the runner rotates it draws the air and water through the suction passages 1, 2 and inlet ports 2*, 6*, and port 5 into the chamber 1, and discharges air and water through the ports 5, outlet port 6, 2 and discharge passages 21, 1, to pipe P3. The air and water enter through ports 2, 6i and 5 at low pressure and velocity into the runner pockets and the speed and pressure thereof is ac- Celera-ted in the volute chamber 1a by the action of the runner, and the air is forced inwardly inthe pockets by the pressure anddischarged through ports 5 and out-let ports 6, 2 into the paages 2, 2, to the pipe P3. As the water in the chamber 1 is caused to follow the outer wall thereof by centrifugal force, the air in the water is forced out through the ports 6. 2 and passages 2, 1d to the discharge pipe P3.

The centrifugal force -of the Water circulated in the chamber 1a by the runner '5 causes the drawing in of the air and also the expulsion of same and the suction or drawing effect is accomplished by the velocity of the water in the casing l. The water is moved from the inlet tothe outlet by the operation of the runner, centrifugal force causing the water to assume the shape of the peripheral wall of the chamber 1a in passing therethrough and a large amount of air is handled. The double suction runner having ports on each side and rotating in the volute. chamber lL and being water sealed will effec-- tively draw in air through the inlet ports and discharge the same through the outlet ports, and as t-he air is drawn in at each side and discharged at each side the pump .will handle a very large volume of air at a low vacuum. K

The runner is hydraulically balanced and there is no end thrust, which is essential to the high efficiency.

The pressure o-f the fluid supplied through the opening 1g will help force the discharge of air through ports 6, 2. The pump is thus water sealed, and air and water are drawn in at both'sides of the runner andare discharged on both sides thereof.

Ports 5p must be at the inner extremities of the runner pockets and as close t-o the hub as possible in order to p-revent trapping of air, and to allow, all compressed air to escape, and therefore ensure greater volumetric efficiency.

Itis preferable to make the runner as shown and to use two port plates 6 making each side of the pump capable of handling air; thus easily and actually doubling the efficiency of the pump with less power applied. The described arrangement of runner and port plates and heads with the correctly shaped volute chamber and pressure maintained therein as described makes an efficient vacuum pump.

The shaft 4 can be driven by lor arranged for direct connection to, any prime mover such as an electric motor, steam motor, or gasoline motor.

The, pump is positive in action and ex. hausts a very large volume of air and delivers it free from pulsa/tion'. It is absolutely reliable and itsefliciency will be maintained for an indefinite period as the runner and shaft are the only moving parts. The pump will stand up indefinitely because of the few moving parts, and the torque required to operate such pump is very low, asit is only necessary to overcome the inertia of the runner and shaft which are the only moving parts. 4

It is necessary to keep the clearance between the runner and casing walls at the ports at the minimum for effective operation. In order .to avoid leakage it is necessary to have the port plates 6 set as close to the runner as possible The clearance between the port plates and runner can be made very close to suit the service required. These plates can be removed and packing placed f behind same to take up any wear and brlng the pump up to its original efliciency. This assures that the centrifugal force or pressure in the volute la will have a continuous drawing or vacuum effect throughout the whole pump from suction inlet to delivery outlet and the pump constructed as shown and described produces a continuous drawing or vacuum when in operation.

What I claim is:

1. In a centrifugal fluid vacuum pump or compressor; a casing having a chamber; a shaft extending through said chamber eccentrically thereof; a runner mounted on said shaft within saidchamber having radially disposed pockets, and a port at the side of each pocket; said casing having inlet ,and outlet ports at the side of said chamber adjacent the ports in the runner; with an adjustable port plate interposed between the ports of the runner and the ports' in the casing and provided with ports adapted to register with the ports in the casing and runner, substantially as described.

2. In a pump as set forth in claim l, means independent of the. main fluid inlet for introducing fluid under pressure into said chamber at the point where the peripheryof the chamber most closely approaches the periphery of the runner, to make a fluid seal in said chamber between the runner and the casing at such point.

3. In a centrifugal fluid vacuum pump or compressor; a casing having a chamber; a shaft extending through said chamber eccentrically thereof; a runner mounted on said shaft within said chamber having radially disposed pockets and ports at the inner end and opposite sides of each pocket, said ports extending parallel with the anis of the ruimer; said casing having inlet and outlet ports in its side walls extending parallel to the axis of the runner, and inlet passages connecting with certain of said ports at each side of the runner, and outlet passages connecting with other of said ports at each side of the runner; the ports in the `runner being adapted to alternately'register with the inlet and the outlet ports in the casing as the runner rotates.

4. In a pump as set forth in claim 3, plates interposed between the ports of the runner and the ports in the casing and pro vided with ports adapted to register with the ports in the casing and runner, substantially as described.

5. In a pump as set forth in claim 3, means independent of the main fluid inlet for introducing fluidunder pressure into said chamber at the point where the periphery of the chamber most closelyapproaches the periphery of the runner, to make a fluid seal in said chamber between the runner and casing at such point.

(i. In a centrifugal fluid vacuum pump or compressor; a casing having a chamber; a shaftextending through said chamber eccentrically thereof; a runner mounted on said shaft within said chamber having radially disposed pockets opening at. the periphery of the runner and ports at the inner end and opposite sides of each pocket, said ports extending parallel with the axis of the runner; said casing having inlet and outlet ports in each side Wall of the said chamber extending parallel to the axis of the runner, and inlet passages connecting with certain of said ports at each side of the runner, and outlet passages connecting with other of said ports at each side of the runner; the ports in the runner being adapted to alternately register with the inlet and the outlet ports in the casing as the runner rotates.

7. In a pump as set forth in claim 6, plates interposed between the ports in the runner and the ports in the casing and provided With ports adapted to register with the ports in the casing and runner, substantially as described.

8. In a pump as set forth in claim 6, means independent of the mail fluid inlet for introducing fluid under pressure into said chamber at the point where the periphery of the chamber most closely approaches the periphery of the runner, to make a fluid seal in said chamber between the runner and the casing at such point.

9. In a centrifugal vacuum pump; a casing having a chamber; a shaft extending through said chamber eccentric thereto; said casing having circular recesses at opposite sides concentric .with the shaft, and inlet and outlet ports extending parallel with the axis of the shaft in the outer walls of said recesses; inlet passages in the sides of the casing communicating with the inlet ports,

and outlet passages in the sides of the casing communicating with the outlet ports; a runner in said chamber mounted on said shaft and havinghub portions extending into the said circular recesses and provided with a series of peripherally disposed pockets and with ports at opposite sides of the said pockets adapted yto register with the inlet and outlet ports in the casing as the runner rotates, substantially as described. 10. In a pump as set forth in claim 9,

lplates interposed between the ported ends of the runner and the ports in the casing and provided with ports adapted to register With the ports in the casing and runner for the purpose specified.

l1. In a pump as set forth in claim 9, means independent of the main fluid inlet for introducing fluid under pressure into said chamber at the point where the periphery of the chamber most closely approaches the periphery of the runner, te make a fluid seal in said chamber between the runner and the casing at such point.

12. In a centrifugal fluid vacuum pump; a casing having a chamber and openings in the sides of said chamber; a shaft extending through said chamber eccentric thereto: heads attached to the sides of the said casing and closing the openings in the said chamber and having circular recesses in their inner faces at opposite sides of said chamber concentric with the shaft, and inlet and outlet ports in the outer walls of said recesses; said heads having inlet passages communicating with the inlet ports, and outletpassages communicating with the out let ports; a runner in the chamber mount` ed on said shaft, said runner having hub portions entering the said circular recesses and provided with a series of peripherally disposed pockets, and with ports at opposite sides of the said pockets adapted to register with the inlet andy outlet ports in the heads as the runner rotates.

13. In a pump as se-tforth in claim 12, plates interposed between the ported ends of the runner and the ports in the heads and provided with ports adapted to register with the ports in the runner and in the heads. l

14. In a pump as set forth in claim 12. means independent of the main fluid inlet forV introducing fluid under pressure into said chamber at the point where the periphery of the chamber most closely approaches the periphery of the runner, to make a fluid seal in said chamber between the runner and the casing at such point.

l5. In a centrifugal fluid vacuum pump; a casing having a chamber, openings at opposite sides of said chamber and eccentric thereto and inlet and outlet passages at opposite sides of said chamber; heads attached'to opposite sides of said casing and provided with inwardly projecting portions` closing said openings in the chamber andprovided with circular recesses in said portions eccentric to the chamber, exterior hub portions concentric with the said recesses, and inlet and outlet ports opening into said recesses adjacent said hub portions; said heads having inlet passages communicating with the inlet ports and with the inlet passage in the casing, and outlet passages communicating with the outlet ports and the outlet passage in the casing; a shaft journaled in said heads and extending through the said chamber eccentric thereto; a runner mounted on said shaft within said chamber and having hub portions projecting into the circular recesses in the heads, and provided with radially vprojecting blades forming an annular series of pockets, and ports loo at the bottoni of the pockets and on opposite sides thereof adapted to register with' the inlet and outlet ports.

16. In a pump as set forth in claim 15, means independent of the 11min fluid inlet for introducing fluid under pressure into said chamber at. the point Where the periphery of the chamber most closely approaches the periphery of the runner, .to make a fluid seal in said chamber between the runner and the casing at such point.

17. In a pump as set forth in claim 15,

port plates interposed between the ports inthe runner and the ports in the casing and provided with ports adapted to register with the ports iu the casing and runner.

18. In u pump us set forth in claim 15, port plates interposed between the ports in the .runner andthe ports in the casing and provided with ports adapted to register with the ports iu the easing and runner, said port plates1 being rotatorily adjustable for the purpose speciied.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afix my signature.

KARL G. SOMMER. 

